The ESF and CEB Executive Boards met at the WBSC Europe Extraordinary Congress in Italian capital Rome as part of work to merge the two organisations under the WBSC Europe banner.

Both approved the new WBSC Europe Constitution, in a move the WBSC has hailed as the start of a new era for the sport on the continent, creating the "unitary structure which will govern baseball and softball" in Europe.

The WSBC said the approval of the constitution heralded the start of a new era for the sport on the continent, creating a unitary structure which will govern baseball and softball in Europe.

There were 45 votes in favour of the move with five against and five abstentions.

Following the decision, both the ESF and CEB are set to be be dissolved into one continental entity at the next WBSC Europe Congress, scheduled to take place in Bled in Slovenia in February.

The first WBSC Europe Executive Board is also set to be confirmed, made up of 13 members including two athletes’ representatives.

WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari said the new governance structure came "at the right time and in the right form".

"With this Congress, Europe took another step forward and after a lot of work, this union of softball and baseball into a single continental entity takes place at the right time and in the right form," said Fraccari.

"The timing is perfect as the sports movement is restarting following the coronavirus pandemic which, as I said, is not over yet, but which we are addressing in much more effective ways. 

"This allows us to look positively into the future.

"You all know my belief that baseball and softball together can create synergies that will aid the growth of our sport. 

"A united body can optimise resources and drive better and more convenient management of its properties, events, and development programmes."

CEB President Didier Seminet and ESF President Gabriel Waage were appointed as Co-Presidents of WBSC Europe in 2018.

In a joint statement, Seminet and Waage emphasised the work that had been carried out to bring baseball and softball together and align strategies.

The ESF was formed in Rome in 1976 with the objective of promoting and developing softball in Europe.

It was established by the National Federations of Belgium, France, Italy, Germany, The Netherlands and Spain and now has 33 members.

Since being formed in 1953, the CEB has increased its membership from five to 38 countries.